⚾ Cubs vs. Dodgers Prediction & Picks: MLB Odds for Saturday, April 25

The Chicago Cubs won their 10th straight game in dramatic comeback fashion in the yesterday's series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but are once again +125 moneyline underdogs in the middle game of this three-game set. First pitch from Dodger Stadium is set for 7:15 p.m. ET (FOX), with the starting pitching matchup being between Colin Rea and Roki Sasaki.

My Cubs vs. Dodgers prediction backs a high-scoring affair, knowing especially the struggles L.A. has had with Sasaki on the mound. The Cubs should be led by a big day at the plate from Michael Busch, but it’s a Dodgers slugger I have tabbed for a home run as part of my MLB picks.

⚾ Cubs vs. Dodgers picks & odds today

See all of our experts’ MLB picks based on the latest MLB odds; picks rated on a 1-to-5 star confidence scale based on betting value.

Total wagered: 2.25 units | Max profit: 3.19 units

🏆 Who will win Cubs vs. Dodgers?

The Dodgers have lost eight games this season, but three have come when Sasaki has toed the rubber. That’s enough to advise backing the Cubs as road underdogs in this middle game of a three-game set.

Score prediction: Cubs 7, Dodgers 6

💰 Cubs vs. Dodgers prediction & best bet

Over 9.5 (+100)

Roki Sasaki hasn’t faced a murderer’s row of offenses (Guardians, Nationals, Rangers, and Rockies), as only one entered the weekend ranked in the top 17 in runs. But they still combined for an average of 6.3 runs per game when Sasaki pitched, and Chicago has averaged 7.2 runs during its 10-game winning streak.

Meanwhile, Colin Rea has pitched to a 4.60 ERA in three appearances at Dodger Stadium, and a 5.94 ERA overall against L.A. Thus, the two offenses that began the series ranked No. 1 and 2 in wRC+ should put on a show.

🔥 Best Cubs vs. Dodgers player prop bet

Michael Busch Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBIs (-107)

Michael Busch returns to Dodger Stadium to face many of his former teammates he spent his rookie season with. 

Busch finally crept over the Mendoza Line with yesterday's two-hit performance, and has heated up over the last week with a .290/.313/.516 slash line over the last seven days. He had also homered in back-to-back games entering this series, and is one of four active Cubs with a hit off Sasaki (his lone hit in three at-bats happened to be a home run).

Sasaki’s control issues (18th percentile in walk rate) have been a huge reason he ranks in the 16th percentile in xERA. Thus, there should be plenty of traffic on the basepaths for Busch, who should only need one productive at-bat to go over this projected total.

💣 Cubs vs. Dodgers home run prediction

Andy Pages to hit a home run (+500)

Andy Pages is slumping from a power standpoint, as he has no home runs and a .160 slugging percentage over the previous seven days. But he is in his better hitting split facing a righty (.338 batting average against right-handed pitchers, .316 against southpaws). A return to Dodger Stadium should do him good after a seven-game road trip, as he has a 1.104 OPS at home.

Colin Rea’s 3-0 record is in large part a product of his 52.9% ground ball rate and 8.7% HR/FB rate. But Pages is one of three current Dodgers who has homered off him, and his 95th percentile hard-hit rate and 75th percentile xSLG should have him snap his power drought before long.

🚀 Cubs vs. Dodgers same-game parlay

There are many times where I will substitute a different third leg to my same-game parlays and avoid using home run props. But in this case, Pages homering would go a long way in helping the Over cash, so I am happy to keep it in the SGP as an odds booster. A big day offensively from Busch should also help Chicago do its part in the scoring and bolster its top-three scoring offense.

💵 My betting record for MLB picks

All MLB picks, including SGPs, have been tracked since March 26.

💡 How I'm betting Cubs vs. Dodgers: MLB strategy

Follow all of our MLB analysis and expert predictions for baseball season.

As Los Angeles is just 1-3 in Roki Sasaki's four starts, I wouldn't put anyone off backing Chicago's moneyline odds (+125 at BetMGM and bet365 are the best odds). But I believe the Over has a better chance of cashing, even though the Under is 23-18 in Los Angeles' last 41 games. Therefore, the Over and Michael Busch's prop wager are one-unit plays, while I'm risking my usual 0.25 units on Pages to hit a home run, and trying to add to my player prop profits that make up most of my MLB bankroll to this point.

📊 Live Cubs vs. Dodgers odds

It is not common for a team on a 10-game winning streak and tied for first in its division to be anywhere from +122 to +135 moneyline underdogs, but that is the respect that oddsmakers have for the Dodgers when facing the Cubs. Just like yesterday when Chicago attracted 42% of the moneyline wagers, I'd expect the same kind of support for the road 'dogs today.

All of the best sports betting sites are in unison with an O/U of 9.5, though the Under is juiced as high as -125 (55.56% implied odds) at FanDuel. It took three runs from the Cubs in the eighth inning on yesterday to narrowly cash the Over, so I'm not surprised to see the early betting action be near dead even (53/47 in support of the Over) at DraftKings.

📈 Cubs vs. Dodgers betting trends

🚑 Cubs vs. Dodgers injuries

📺 How to watch Cubs vs. Dodgers

• Date: Saturday, April 25
• First pitch: 7:15 p.m. ET
• Ballpark: Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles)
• TV: FOX
• Streaming: MLB.TV
• Cubs starter: Colin Rea (3-0, 3.00 ERA)
• Dodgers starter: Roki Sasaki (0-2, 6.11 ERA)